In recent years, gambling has risen in popularity, especially among younger audiences. 8% of youth can be considered problem gamblers, with many starting at just 12 years old, according to California Council on Problem Gambling. The excitement and thrill that gambling provides quickly draws in teens, oblivious to its dangerous, long-term consequences.
Youth are much more vulnerable to gambling addictions because their brains are not yet fully developed, according to American Psychological Association. As such, they need to be educated on and made more aware of gambling’s harmful consequences.
Even worse, this addiction can hinder young students’ academic performance and consequently, their future careers. Gambling and lower academic performance have been found to be associated, according to University of Mississippi.
Instead of studying or being social, teens might be building bad habits and not properly developing impulse control. Later on, these habits can manifest as more serious discipline issues, jeopardizing job opportunities and leading to financial instability, according to Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
As gambling companies are becoming increasingly aware of youth as potential customers, their marketing tactics have shifted toward enticing a younger demographic. The establishment of many online platforms has also made gambling more accessible, according to Oxford Academic.
Now, more than ever, it is crucial to address the issue of gambling among youth, which can be done most effectively in a school setting.
In large part, a lack of awareness surrounding gambling’s consequences is what makes teens especially vulnerable to addiction. By taking responsibility to educate students about the long-term dangers of gambling, schools can help teens make better informed and more wise decisions.
At school, lessons about gambling’s dangers could be implemented into advisory or the media literacy unit in freshman literature classes. Since participation is required for these classes, we can ensure that all students are receiving this information.
Specifically, schools should teach students how to protect themselves from gambling ads and services that are intentionally designed to target unsuspecting teenagers. It is important for students to recognize these common traps, so they do not waste their lives for a few seconds of thrill.
To protect teens, schools must step up and raise awareness of the unseen dangers of gambling. It may seem like harmless fun, but what starts out as a game can destroy the futures of many talented students.
